For the season, 61 reports were received, recording a total of 303 species including 291 regulars, 8 casuals and 4 accidentals.

The first few weeks of August were unusually hot and humid, with temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees in the western part of the state during the middle of the month. Temperatures for the month averaged 2.9 degrees above normal, and precipitation was 1.5 inches above normal. Among the most unusual birds seen during these weeks were a Black-legged Kittiwake at Leech Lake, a Ruff in Chisago Co., a Little Gull at Worthington, Minnesota's fourth state record Western Wood-Pewee in Duluth, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near Babbitt, and a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in Duluth. A warbler wave was reported in Bigfork, Itasca Co., on August 19, and in the Twin Cities area the first notable wave arrived on the 22nd. After a short lull, probably the result of more hot weather, a cold front brought increasing numbers of migrants to areas around the state the last few days of the month. Hawk Ridge in Duluth recorded its first confirmed sighting of a Ferruginous Hawk on the 30th.

September was a cooler month, temperatures averaging a few degrees below normal.

Excellent waves of warblers and other migrants were noted the first week in both Minneapolis and Duluth. In Rochester warblers peaked between the 4th and the lOth.

On the 16th a late family of Bam Swallows in Lac qui Parle Co. were just leaving their nest. A cold front on the 23rd, followed by heavy rains and, in the extreme northwest, the first snow, brought summer to an end. Large numbers of sparrows, wrens, flycatchers and warblers passed through the east central region during another period of cool weather from the 26th to the 28th. Highlights for the month included Sabine's Gulls from two locations away from Lake Superior, Blue Grosbeak in Redwood Co., Smith's Longspur in Duluth, Ferruginous Hawk in Kanabec Co., and, most unusual, a Yellow-throated Warbler in Moorhead on the 22nd.

The first half of October was mostly overcast and warm in the Duluth area, with a lot of fog and winds from the south and southeast. Mixed flocks of birds were seen flying north from the 7th to the 13th. As late as the 21st nine species of warblers and 13 secies of sparrows were seen at Grand Marais along the North Shore! Away from Lake Superior weather conditions were more variable and migration proceeded normally. A warbler and sparrow wave was reported from Lyon Co. on the 6th and 7th. Franklin's Gulls passed through the Twin Cities in greater numbers than usual during the first part of the month.

In spite of the state's rainy weather (precipitation was 3.6 inches above normal) October proved once again to be one of our best birding months. The most noteworthy bird of the season, Minnesota's first Lesser Black-backed Gull, was seen by many observers at Park Point, Duluth on October 19. Although the gull was seen several times after this in nearby Wisconsin, it was recorded only once more in Minnesota, standing on a breakwater at the Superior Entry on the 23rd. Other unusual October sightings in Duluth were: Mountain Bluebird, Arctic Loon, and Eared Grebe. A Black-legged Kittiwake was at Stoney Point, and Harlequin Duck was reported from the French River and from Grand Marais. Elsewhere, a White-faced Ibis was at Gun Club Lake from the 4th to the 12th. On the 24th a Little Gull was at Lake of the Woods, and on the 28th a Brant was seen in Fergus Falls.

Temperatures averaged. I degree above normal for November, but in the north highs were only in the teens the first two days of the month. On the 9th and lOth up to 8 inches of snow fell in the southeast. Light snow fell again on the 15th. Conditions were milder from the 22nd to the 26th, with highs of 40 degrees to 50 degrees. A number of birds were later than usual this year in leaving the state. On November 4 a Red-eyed Vireo was still in Hennepin Co. A record late Pectoral Sandpiper was in Dakota Co. on the 25th. In Duluth a Clay-colored Sparrow appeared at a feeder on the 7th and stayed the rest of the month. There were late November reports of Chipping Sparrow from three locations, one a far north as Fergus Falls. Rarities in November included Ross's Goose at Rochester, another Arctic Loon in St. Louis Co., Gyrfalcon in Roseau Co., two Townsend's Solitaire's at Afton State Park and one in Hennepin Co., and Duluth's long-awaited first California Gull.

In general, this was a good season. Greater White-fronted Geese, Long-tailed Ducks, and scoters were all up in numbers, with reports of all three scoter species from many counties around the state. Shorebirds and warblers both made impressive showings. A record number of Northern Northern Saw-whet Owls ( 131) were banded in one night at Hawk Ridge, and two days later another 116 were banded there. Black-backed Woodpecker reports were up along the North Shore. Both species of crossbills were unusually common , moving into the southern part of the state in late fall. Declines were noted for few species. One observer who traveled extensively in the western part of the state commented that pheasants were "very scarce" in that region. There were only three jaeger reports, all unidentified, down considerably from 1983, and no reports of Northern Bobwhite were received.